Hydrogen

Accelerating global decarbonisation

The 'hydrogen opportunity' is gaining significant attention across the world as a means to accelerate the global transition to a low-emissions energy future. This includes the Australian market, where the hydrogen industry is expected to contribute at least $11 billion to the domestic economy and generate around 7,600 jobs by 2050.

How we can help

We are leaders in new energy projects. Our team has advised clients on first-to-market energy and infrastructure development projects across all technologies – from the beginning of the renewables boom, to pumped hydro, offshore wind, large-scale battery storage and waste-to-energy projects. We are currently bringing this expertise to bear in assisting clients with their investments in new hydrogen and ammonia projects.

Our current roles include work on project structuring (including joint ventures, risk allocation between co-dependent projects and interface management), regulatory approvals, construction and development, finance (including government funding), intellectual property rights and protection, purchasing and export arrangements, storage and transport, industry and competitor collaboration – among other considerations – ensuring we are equipped to support our clients to successfully deliver their hydrogen and ammonia projects.

Deep local expertise backed by global insights

Our hydrogen expertise is broadened further by our global reach, via our alliance with Linklaters – considered a global leader in renewable energy, and currently engaged in world-leading hydrogen projects.

The hydrogen project lifecycle

1. Consider need / application
  • Grid electricity
  • Heating
  • Transport
  • Industry feedstock
  • Export
2. Technology development and protection
  • Feasibility studies
  • Demonstration scale projects
  • Intellectual property strategy
3. Financing
  • ARENA and CEFC
  • State Government funding
  • Renewables project financing
4. Site selection, tenure and approvals
  • Access to infrastructure
  • Water rights
  • Negotiating tenure
  • Native title
  • Planning approvals
5. Structuring
  • EPC and O&M agreements
  • Power supply
  • M&A opportunities
6. Offtake / end use
  • Offtake agreements
  • Storage and transport
  • Export considerations

What we do

We help our clients with such key aspects as:

  • Project lifecycle planning
  • Regulatory reform
  • Project structuring and tax advice
  • Project finance
  • Development of new technologies, including IP and partnering for commercialisation
  • Site selection, tenure and native title
  • Environmental impact assessments, planning and regulatory approvals
  • M&A
  • Risk, compliance, licensing and reporting
  • Work, health and safety

Experience

Japan's largest power generation company

Advising on the purchase arrangements for 500,000 tons of green ammonia per year.

Major Australian energy and infrastructure company

Advising the sponsor of two green hydrogen projects, in Central Queensland and Moranbah North.

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

Advising on the funding of Engie and Yara's YURI green hydrogen and ammonia project in Western Australia.

Several Australian and international resources companies

Advising on the development and funding of several carbon capture and storage projects.

Major steel manufacturer

Advising on a joint venture with a global resources company to use hydrogen to produce low emissions steel.

LAVO

Advising on the intellectual property protection of innovative hydrogen storage technology.

Multinational fertiliser and chemicals company

Advising on the design and construction of green ammonia storage tanks.

Major oil and gas company

Advising on the competition issues associated with a carbon capture and storage project.

Australian hydrogen participant

Advising in relation to potential collaboration agreements to team with other parties, developing and demonstrating hydrogen supply chain technology.

Renewable energy developer

Advising on a renewable project being developed in Tasmania, where the client is looking to add a hydrogen facility on site.

Energy company

Advising on environment, planning and land transactions in relation to the development of a hydrogen facility in Queensland.

Hydrogen project finance

Advised start-ups in relation to electrolytic (solar and wind derived) hydrogen manufacturing and exporting. We have also advised bioenergy start-ups in relation to dimethyl ether and ammonia manufacturing and exporting.